Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CAELICA: 23, by FULKE GREVILLE


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CAELICA: 23, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Merlin, they say, an english prophet born
Last Line: "yet you would laugh as heartily, as I."
Alternate Author Name(s): Brooke, 1st Baron; Brooke, Lord
Subject(s): Etiquette; Merlin; Manners; Courtesy


Merlin, they say, an English Prophet borne,
When he was young and governed by his Mother,
Took great delight to laugh such fools to scorn
As thought, by Nature we might know a Brother.

His Mother chid him oft, till on a day,
They stood, and saw a Coarse to burial carried,
The Father tears his beard, doth weep and pray;
The Mother was the woman he had married.

Merlin laughs out aloud instead of crying;
His Mother chides him for that childish fashion;
Says, Men must mourn the dead, themselves are dying,
Good manners doth make answer unto passion.

The Child (for children see what should be hidden)
Replies unto his Mother by and by,
"Mother, if you did not know, and were forbidden,
Yet you would laugh as heartily, as I."





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